Weekly news from around the 32 counties of Ireland

Ian Paisley’s abrupt resignation as First Minister came amid secret DUP plotting to ease him out of office, a controversial new book claimed last week. The Fall of the House of Paisley by Belfast Telegraph journalist David Gordon argues moves to unseat the veteran political firebrand were more subtle than a coup and the party managed to avoid a public bust-up.

(Source: The Belfast Telegraph)

CARLOW

A teenager ran screaming from Carlow Cineplex after he claimed a ghost appeared in the seat next to him. The lad had been sitting with two friends in screen three, when the mysterious figure of an old man wearing a hat suddenly materialized beside him. The terrified teen was met by Derek Delaney from The Swan, who had just left the new Michael Jackson film at around 11pm. The youth, who Derek described as “absolutely terrified”, was standing in the foyer of the cinema looking - as Derek described it - “completely shook”.

(Source: The Carlow Nationalist)

CAVAN

Thirteen volunteers from Cavan will among the hundreds that will be devoting their services to the Niall Mellon Township Trust building blitz from November 6 to 13 in South Africa.

An estimated 1,000 volunteers from all parts of the country will be aiming to complete 100 new houses for some of South Africa's poorest families in the township of Wallacedene, Cape Town. A new school hall and communal garden will also be built during the blitz.

(Source: The Anglo Celt)

CLARE

A call for a new type of leadership was made by priest and social commentator Harry Bohan at the Céifin conference, which opened in Clare last week. He said the question of leadership was one of the most critical facing society at this time of great upheaval. Fr Bohan said there was a need to move away from a command type of leadership to a more participative model, underpinned by honesty and integrity. “The recovery that’s needed cannot be just a repetition of the past . . . renewed community has to be at the centre of our recovery. In many ways the recovery has to start from the ground and grow.” This would require people to take responsibility. “Going along with the prevailing culture sometimes can exonerate people from taking responsibility.”

(Source: The Irish Times)

CORK

Grants of up to €150,000 are now available through the North Cork Enterprise Board for exceptional local companies that will bring vital jobs to the region. The new Chief Executive of the board, Michael Hanley, said last week that the recession has re-invigorated North Cork's entrepreneurial spirit — at a recent Enterprise Board open clinic held in Mallow, eight very exciting projects were identified in just one day.

(Source: The Corkman)

DERRY

Derry City's future was thrown in further doubt last week when it emerged that the FAI is now "very concerned" about a meeting they had with the club on Wednesday night last, with chief executive John Delaney saying it could have "quite severe" ramifications. News of the FAI's comments sparked speculation that Derry City's future in the top flight could be in jeopardy, even if the club's board is able to take action on the grave financial crisis it faces. It's thought that the concerns revolve around players' contracts at Derry City. If the FAI is not satisfied with the information forthcoming from the club, City could face automatic relegation to the League of Ireland First Division.

(Source: The Derry Journal)

DONEGAL

A senior Garda officer has spoken of the force's concern at the worrying increase of drug use and, in particular, heroin in Donegal. Garda Inspector Pat O'Donnell says drug use is widespread across the county and every weekend gardai here are making seizures of drugs, money and varieties of drugs paraphernalia and equipment. He also admitted Donegal is "wide open" to people who want to bring drugs here and said the majority of drugs are being brought from Dublin, Belfast and Galway.

(Source: Donegal Democrat)

DOWN

A total of £42,000 worth of drugs were seized in Warrenpoint in just six months, the PSNI has revealed. The figures were disclosed by Constable Stan Lutton and Sergeant Kenny Millen at a Forum for Discussion hosted by Newry and Mourne District Policing Partnership in Warrenpoint Town Hall on Tuesday last. The officers also revealed that in the six months from April to September, there were nine planned searches in the Warrenpoint area, resulting in seven people being charged with intent to supply drugs.

(Source: The Down Democrat)

DUBLIN

The socially aware clothing company founded by Bono and his wife Ali Hewson has lost millions of dollars and is struggling in the economic downturn, new figures have revealed. The future of Edun Apparel, a fashion label aimed at helping some of the most vulnerable communities on earth in sub-Saharan Africa, remains unclear after accounts filed last week show falling sales. The losses will come as no surprise to many fashion experts as the sector has taken a massive hit due to the credit crunch. However, due to the high profile of Bono and his wife, many thought Edun would not suffer as much as other companies. Accounts filed for the business reveal that the fashion company retained losses of $19m (€12.8m) in 2008, a 23pc increase from the previous year's $14.5 (€9.7m).